How to Make Potato Pancakes from Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potato pancakes turn leftovers into a brand new meal .

Waking up the day after Thanksgiving to find a fridge packed with turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mashed potatoes, may make the thought of the same meal two days in a row less appealing. Turning leftover mashed potatoes into potato pancakes is a creative way to use up those extra mashed potatoes. The twist on traditional latkes makes for a delicious breakfast as well as a fun and easy way of making another, yet different, meal out of leftovers.

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl
• Mixing spoon
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons grated onion
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• Squeeze of lemon
• Salt
• Pepper
• Skillet
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Spatula
• Paper towels
• Plate
• Sour cream
• Applesauce

Instructions

1. Add the mashed potatoes, egg, flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and onion to the bowl. Stir the contents until well combined.

2. Add a squeeze of lemon to the mix, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Heat the skillet over medium heat for about a minute. Increase the heat to medium-high, and add the vegetable oil. Heat the vegetable oil for another minute or so; when a drop of water sizzles in the pan, it will be hot enough.

4. Add about 1/4 cup of the potato mix per pancake to the pan. Flatten into a pancake shape with the spatula. Cook for one minute and check the bottom of one pancake; if it is not golden brown, continue cooking for one minute longer. Flip the pancakes and cook for one to two more minutes.

5. Transfer the pancakes to a plate lined with paper towels, and dab off the excess oil. Serve warm with sour cream, applesauce or both.

Tips & Warnings

• For lower caloric options, try reducing the oil in half and spraying the pan with cooking spray.

• Before adding additional salt and pepper to the recipe, taste the mashed potatoes to determine if they need more seasoning. If the mashed potatoes are already well-seasoned, omit the additional salt and pepper.

References

• Mr. Breakfast: Mashed Potato Pancakes
• Food Network: Potate Latke Recipe